합성명사의 형성과 번역의 언어적 동기

Abstract

In word formation, derivation and compounding are two major processes for producing new words. This research explores formation and translation of compound nouns, in terms of the linguistic motivations of salience/prominence, economy, and metonymy as proposed in Radden and Panther (2004). This study first discusses previous studies of linguistic motivation, focusing on the cognitive approach to linguistic motivation. The formation of compound nouns composed of [N(oun) 1] and [N(oun) 2] undergoes a complex process, displaying a variety of meaning relations between [N 1] and [N 2]. Based on the examination of types of compounds, this study explores linguistic motivations which are at work in the formation of compound nouns. This research discusses examples of translated words from English into Korean, showing the discrepancy between the meanings of words of source language [i.e., English] and those of target language [i.e., Korean]. This study also compares some words related to electricity/electronics in Korean with those in Japanese and Chinese, showing that languages differ in encoding prominent features into compound nouns. Furthermore, this research discusses some Konglish words, showing how the linguistic motivations are at work in the formation and translation of Konglish words. In sum, this research shows that the linguistic motivations of salience, economy, and metonymy are mainly responsible for the formation and translation of compound nouns in language.